This day in history 15 May

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Images



Ellon: BR Standard 2-6-4 tank 80028 runs through Ellon station with a fish train in May 1959.

Formartine and Buchan Railway
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 1959


Ythan Viaduct: Buchan tanks. 80004 crossing Ythan Viaduct on up passenger in May 1959. See image [[51098]]

Formartine and Buchan Railway
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 1959


Maud: View north on 15 May 1959 as BR Standard Tank 80113 pulls away from Maud with a freight from Peterhead following a water stop alongside Maud signal box.

Formartine and Buchan Railway
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 1959


Auchnagatt: 40604 approaching Auchnagatt station on 15 May 1955 with a freight for Fraserburgh.

Formartine and Buchan Railway
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 1959


Auchnagatt: BR Standard 2-6-4T 80111 runs south through Auchnagatt on 15 May 1959 with a Peterhead - Aberdeen freight.

Formartine and Buchan Railway
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 1959


Maud: BR Standard tank 80113 with a freight taking on water alongside Maud signal box in May 1959.

Formartine and Buchan Railway
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 1959


Arnage: BR Standard class 4 2-6-0 76108 brings a down passenger train into Arnage station on 15 May 1959.

Formartine and Buchan Railway
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 1959


Maud: BR standard 2-6-4 tank 80005 photographed at Maud in the spring of 1959 in the process of dividing the Fraserburgh and Peterhead portions of a recent arrival from Aberdeen.

Formartine and Buchan Railway
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 1959


Maud: Standard class 4 2-6-0 76108 approaching Maud on 15 May 1959 with an up train.

Formartine and Buchan Railway
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 1959


Esslemont: The 1861 station at Esslemont in May 1959 looking north towards Ellon. The station closed to passengers in 1952. [Ref query 9807]

Formartine and Buchan Railway
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 1959


Pitmedden: Pitmedden signal box and level crossing in May 1960.

Great North of Scotland Railway
David Murray-Smith 1960


Kinaldie: The view west over Kinaldie station in 1960. The platforms remain, but the line has been singled, station closed and the fine building has gone.

Great North of Scotland Railway
David Murray-Smith 1960


Carlisle Kingmoor Shed: Black 5 no 44669 in the yard at Carlisle Kingmoor shed on 15 May 1964.

Caledonian Railway
K A Gray 1964


Larkhall Central: Motherwell shed's Black 5 no 45029 passing through Larkhall Central on 15 May 1964 with a trainload of pigeons for release at Alton Heights. (After taking this photograph I was able to cycle south to Blackwood to obtain another shot - plus a bonus footplate trip - with the bike consigned to the tender!)

Mid Lanark Lines (Caledonian Railway)
John Robin 1964


Carlisle Kingmoor Shed: Royal Scot 46132 'The King's Regiment Liverpool' photographed on its home shed at Kingmoor in May 1964. The locomotive is recorded as being officially withdrawn three months earlier and was eventually cut up at Arnott Young, Troon, the following April.

Caledonian Railway
K A Gray 1964


Carlisle: Ivatt 4F 2-6-0 no 43027 arrives at Carlisle platform 4 on 15 May 1964 with the 6.22pm train from Langholm.

Caledonian Railway
K A Gray 1964


Carlisle Kingmoor Shed: Class 3F 0-6-0T 47236 sandwiched between a snow plough and Stanier Pacific 46244 King George VI in the shed yard at Kingmoor on 15 May 1964.

Caledonian Railway
K A Gray 1964


Lesmahagow [2nd]: The friendly crew of 45029 with driver J Archibald, posing for the camera alongside the pigeon special at Lesmahagow on its return from Alton Heights on 15 May 1964 see image [[47427]]. A print finally found its way to them at Motherwell MPD.

Mid Lanark Lines (Caledonian Railway)
John Robin 1964


Stonehouse [Lanarkshire]: Motherwell Black 5 no 45029 at Stonehouse station on 15 May 1964 on its way back from Alton Heights with a pigeon special see image [[46637]].

Lesmahagow Railway
John Robin 1964


Blackwood Junction: Looking south from Blackwood signal box in May 1964, as 45029 with a pigeon special waits for a DMU from Coalburn to clear the section to Alton Heights. The original (1866) Blackwood terminus lay straight ahead, with the 1905 replacement through station (closed 1965) round the curve to the left see image [[9162]].

Lesmahagow Railway
John Robin 1964


Alton Heights Junction: 45029 takes water at Alton Heights on 15 May 1964 after arriving with a pigeon special see image [[46637]]. This had once been a 4-way junction with lines from Brocketsbrae and Lesmahagow to the north meeting those from Coalburn and Poneil Junction to the south. By this time however it was merely a loop.

Lesmahagow Railway
John Robin 1964


Paisley St James: Fairburn 2-6-4T no 42259 approaching Paisley St James on 16 May 1964 with a Glasgow - Wemyss Bay service. The [[Underwood Coal Depot]] is to the left, which had a long siding to the [[Abercorn Oil Works]].

Glasgow, Paisley and Greenock Railway
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 1964


Stonehouse Viaduct: Black 5 45029 crossing Stonehouse Viaduct on its way back to Motherwell on 15 May 1964 with an empty pigeon special, having delivered the contents to Alton Heights see image [[46637]].

Mid Lanark Lines (Caledonian Railway)
John Robin 1964


Wemyss Bay: DEPV 'Talisman' at Wemyss Bay on 15th May 1965, dressed overall to mark the centenary of the opening of the original station and pier.

Greenock and Wemyss Bay Railway
Brian Haslehust 1965


Wemyss Bay: DEPV 'Talisman' at Wemyss Bay on 15th May 1965, dressed overall in honour of the centenary of the opening of the station and pier. The photograph was taken from the departing paddle steamer 'Caledonia', from which traces of wash can be seen in the foreground.

Greenock and Wemyss Bay Railway
Brian Haslehust 1965


Stranraer Harbour: Stranraer Harbour, viewed from PS 'Caledonia' as she arrived on a Clyde Coast charter on 15th May 1965. The 'Caledonian Princess' is berthed on the far side of the pier, shortly to make her regular crossing to Larne.

Portpatrick Railway
Brian Haslehust 1965


Largs Pier: MV 'Maid of Cumbrae', photographed from PS 'Caledonia' off Largs in 1965. The Maid was dressed overall to mark the centenary of Wemyss Bay pier. The 'Caledonia' was similarly adorned, though not quite overall (see [[82936]]), and had called at Wemyss Bay in the course of a charter sailing down the Ayrshire coast to Stranraer. One recalls that the 'Maids' were regarded at the time as somewhat second rate in comparison with the paddle steamers and turbines plying the Clyde. But it has to be admitted that, on a day like this, they did look rather racy!

Piers, Slips and Staiths
Brian Haslehust 1965


Stranraer Harbour: At Stranraer Harbour, in May 1965, a rather more elegant vessel in the shape of PS 'Caledonia' has nipped into the berth more usually occupied by the 'Caledonian Princess', the latter having not long left for Larne. The Clyde steamer, on a charter sailing, was an unusual visitor to Stranraer. Earlier in the day, she had marked the centenary of the opening of Wemyss Bay by calling there before heading south down the Ayrshire coast.

Portpatrick Railway
Brian Haslehust 1965


Stranraer Harbour: A rare visitor to Stranraer, the Clyde paddle steamer 'Caledonia', has arrived on a special charter, having sailed down the Ayrshire coast from Wemyss Bay. The date was 15th May 1965, the centenary of Wemyss Bay's opening. From the position of the bow rope, it looks as though the 'Caledonia' has begun canting round the end of the pier, so as to berth at the other side (see [[82617]]) before heading back to the Clyde.

Portpatrick Railway
Brian Haslehust 1965


Glasgow St Enoch: View of the remaining lines on the curve into a much diminished St Enoch terminus almost a year after closure. Photographed in May 1967, from a passing railtour.

City Of Glasgow Union Railway
Colin Miller 1967


Stalham: The former Midland & Great Northern Joint station at Stalham on May 15th 1976. Closed in 1959, it was in use as a council depot at the time of this photo. After the depot closed, the building was salvaged by the North Norfolk railway and re-erected at its Holt terminus.

Yarmouth and North Norfolk Railway
Mark Dufton 1976


Reepham (Norfolk): Following withdrawal of County School to Wroxham passenger trains in 1952, Reepham (GER) became a freight only terminus until lifted track was relaid to a new connection with the Norwich to Melton Constable line (M&GN) at Themelthorpe in 1960. Shown here are the (then) still open, but seldom used, sidings at Reepham in May 1977, looking east towards the station. In 2010, the station had become a pleasant café, the goods shed a craft centre, and the trackbed a footpath/cycleway.

Great Eastern Railway
Mark Dufton 1977


Corpusty and Saxthorpe: As if set down on someone's lawn, the former Midland and Great Northern station that used to serve Corpusty and Saxthorpe was being well cared for (by a local scout group) on 15th May 1977. Retained for community service after closure in 1959, the high standard of upkeep continued for decades through various uses. In 2017, it housed a cafe for the summer season. [Ref query 5 August 2018]

Melton Constable to North Walsham (Eastern and Midlands Railway)
Mark Dufton 1977


Boat of Garten: 46464 stored in the station sidings at Boat of Garten, the engine is now under repair at the Caledonian Railway, Brechin. 15 May 1981. An image scanned from an old 120 Kodacolour negative.

Inverness and Perth Junction Railway
Peter Todd 1981


Aviemore Speyside: The Strathspey Railway's Austerity No 60 with their LMS inspection saloon alongside the Aviemore 'Speyside' platform on 15 May 1981. The train is conveying Railway Officers and Railway Inspectorate Staff.

Inverness and Perth Junction Railway
Peter Todd 1981


Glasgow Queen Street High Level: A type 2 leaves Queen Street tunnel and enters the station on 15 May 1981.

Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
John Furnevel 1981


Aviemore Speyside: Strathspey Railway's No 60 running into Aviemore Speyside on 15 May 1982.

Inverness and Perth Junction Railway
Peter Todd 1982


Exeter St Davids: The single car diesel unit for Barnstaple waits at Exeter St Davids in May 1985. Note the BRUTEs and mail bags on the platform alongside.

Bristol and Exeter Railway
Ian Dinmore 1985


Altofts: Scene at Altofts station, West Yorkshire, on 15 May 1990, the day after the station was officially closed to passengers.

Midland Railway
Ian Dinmore 1990


Knaresborough: A York - Leeds DMU arrives at Knaresborough on 15 May 1990.

Leeds Northern Railway
Ian Dinmore 1990


Altofts: Entrance to Altofts station near Normanton West Yorkshire, complete with WYPTE Metro sign. Photographed on 15 May 1990 - the day after the station was officially closed, see image [[41676]].

Midland Railway
Ian Dinmore 1990


Blindwells Opencast Disposal Site: 26006 at Blindwells opencast disposal site with a loaded coal train for Cockenzie Power Station in 1991.

North British Railway
Roger Geach 1991


Kinglassie Colliery: 37692 on Longannet to Westfield empties near Kinglassie in 1991.

Westfield to Kinglassie Line (North British Railway)
Roger Geach 1991


Dundee: Driver stress, Dundee, 1993. Dundee Tay Bridge had been officially renamed Dundee in 1966, the year after the closure of Dundee West station.

Tay Bridge and Associated Lines (North British Railway)
John Furnevel 1993


Longannet West Arrival: 56104 takes the west spur into Longannet Power Station with the first working of opencast coal, loaded at the former Kincardine Power Station, into Longannet Power Station on 15 May 1994.

Longannet Power Station Loop (British Railways)
Bill Roberton 1994


Cottingham: A previous generation of ticket machine, seen here at Cottingham, between Hull and Beverley, in May 1994. Turn the dial for your destination - so long as it's on the same line. Payment was by coin only.

Bridlington Branch (Hull and Selby Railway)
David Panton 1994


Blaenant Mine: 37896 passing the site of the once Blaenant loading point, where there was also a block post and loading siding, in May 1996. Blaenant mine shut in 1989. 37896 is en route with the Cawood containers to Swansea Dock having been loaded at Onllwyn with coal for Northern Ireland. These containers were a regular sight for a while and loaded at many different locations.

Neath and Brecon Railway
Roger Geach 1996


Nethy Bridge: View north at Nethy Bridge in May 2002.

Strathspey Railway
John Furnevel 2002


Nethy Bridge: Looking north along the trackbed at Nethy Bridge towards Grantown-on-Spey in May 2002. The station, which had closed to passengers in 1965, was in use as a hostel.

Strathspey Railway
John Furnevel 2002


Nethy Bridge: The old station at Nethy Bridge in May 2002 looking south along the Strathspey route towards Aviemore. By this time the building had been converted for use as a bunkhouse.

Strathspey Railway
John Furnevel 2002


Taff's Well: A valleys line train about to cross the river Taff just north of Taff's Well in May 2004. Two other lines, the Cardiff Railway and the Barry Railway once shared this part of the valley.

Taff Vale Railway
John Thorn 2004


Milngavie: Train leaving Milngavie heading to Glasgow. Dumgoyne and Mugdock bank are seen in the background.

Glasgow and Milngavie Junction Railway
Ewan Crawford 2005


Polmont Junction: A Glasgow - Edinburgh train passing the recently modified layout at Polmont Junction in May 2006.

Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
John Furnevel 2006


Burntisland Junction: Work proceeding on £3m renewal of C(S) listed Lammerlaws road bridge to Burntisland beach and swimming pool. Temporary footbridge near camera.

Edinburgh and Northern Railway
Brian Forbes 2007


Burntisland East Junction: Sea Wall, collie and church at Burntisland.

Edinburgh and Northern Railway
Brian Forbes 2007


Burntisland East Junction: GNER 125 curves northbound alongside the recreation area at Burntisland.

Edinburgh and Northern Railway
Brian Forbes 2007


Burntisland: Historical plaque on Burntisland down waiting room wall.

Edinburgh and Northern Railway
Brian Forbes 2007


Burntisland East Junction: Pettycur Heights are background to a 170 as it slows for the Burntisland stop.

Edinburgh and Northern Railway
Brian Forbes 2007


Burntisland: Waiting room on the tightly curved northbound platform at Burntisland, masonry built.

Edinburgh and Northern Railway
Brian Forbes 2007


Menstrie and Glenochil: Back to nature at Menstrie on 15 May 2007. View east from road bridge.

Alva Railway
Bill Roberton 2007


Burntisland: Tight curve on down platform at Burntisland.

Edinburgh and Northern Railway
Brian Forbes 2007


Burntisland [1st]: Burntisland original station platform building (left) and present station building on the higher plane. When the Forth Bridge opened in 1890 the new (r) line opened.

Edinburgh and Northern Railway
Brian Forbes 2007


Dalguise Viaduct: Dalguise Viaduct. A turbostar heads north past Craigvinean forest.

Inverness and Perth Junction Railway
Brian Forbes 2007


Blair Atholl: Southbound 170410 leaves Blair Atholl for Glasgow.

Inverness and Perth Junction Railway
Brian Forbes 2007


Blair Atholl: Buffer stops abandoned in Blair Atholl yard.

Inverness and Perth Junction Railway
Brian Forbes 2007


Killiecrankie: Remains of down platform at Killiecrankie

Inverness and Perth Junction Railway
Brian Forbes 2007


Ballinluig: A 170 FSR heads north between Dalguise and Ballinluig

Inverness and Perth Junction Railway
Brian Forbes 2007


Blair Atholl: Glasgow train races through Blair Atholl.

Inverness and Perth Junction Railway
Brian Forbes 2007


Blair Atholl: North view of Blair Atholl station.

Inverness and Perth Junction Railway
Brian Forbes 2007


Alloa [1st]: 61994 with the second special of the day leaves Alloa on 15 May 2008.

Stirling and Dunfermline Railway
Bill Roberton 2008


Alloa Harbour Junction: Deltic 55022 Royal Scots Grey at the rear of one of the Alloa Reopening specials leaving Alloa for Stirling on 15 May 2008.

Stirling and Dunfermline Railway
Bill Roberton 2008


Alloa West Junction: 61994 leaving Alloa with the 1330 on 15 May.

Stirling and Dunfermline Railway
Mark Poustie 2008


Kilbagie: The Alloa-Stirling special empty stock at Kilbagie on 15 May.

Kincardine Line (North British Railway)
Bill Roberton 2008


Kilbagie: Empty stock for the special runs between Alloa and Stirling passing Kilbagie on 15 May.

Kincardine Line (North British Railway)
Bill Roberton 2008


Stirling: 55022 Royal Scots Grey with 61994 The Great Marquess at Stirling met by many well-wishers on 15/05/2008 the day the first passenger train ran on the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine line after re-opening. This was the 14.20 back to Alloa.

Scottish Central Railway
Mark Poustie 2008


Blackgrange: 61994 The Great Marquess rattles past Blackgrange level crossing, Stirling bound, with the second of the four shuttles put on for the official reopening of the SAK line.

Stirling and Dunfermline Railway
Brian Forbes 2008


Manor Powis: The first passenger train on the new line between Alloa and Stirling passing the former loop and level crossing at Manor Powis. Steam engine K4 61994 leads, with deltic 22 tailed at rear. (15 May 2008) Photographed from the A81 Stirling bypass.

Stirling and Dunfermline Railway
Brian Forbes 2008


Ravenstruther: Freightliner 66509, accompanied by a large buzzard, runs slowly out along the reversing spur at Ravenstruther shortly after leaving the West Coast Main Line (above which the overhead mast in the foreground stands) on 15 May 2008. The locomotive will reverse its empties via the siding running across the centre of the picture to reach the loading hopper off to the right. The solitary vehicle on the left is in the crippled wagon siding.

Caledonian Railway
John Furnevel 2008


Cleghorn: A Milngavie - Lanark service passing the site of Cleghorn station on 15 May 2008 prior to running over the level crossing. The train is approaching Lanark Junction, where it will turn south off the West Coast Main Line and onto the branch.

Caledonian Railway
John Furnevel 2008


Stirling: 61994 arrives at Stirling with a special from Alloa.

Scottish Central Railway
John Robin 2008


Stirling: View from footplate of 61994 after arrival from Alloa showing Stirling semaphores. Access by kind permission of John Cameron.

Scottish Central Railway
John Robin 2008


Waterside Level Crossing: The Alloa opening, taken at Waterside Level Crossing (sometimes known as Cambuskenneth crossing) on 15th May.

Stirling and Dunfermline Railway
Hamish Baillie 2008


Cambus: K4 61994 ran four special trips between Alloa and Stirling on 15th May 2008 to officially open the SAK. Here she is rounding the left hand curve between Cambus and Blackgrange on the 1330 service from Alloa.

Stirling and Dunfermline Railway
Brian Forbes 2008


Cleghorn: Just before the new Spring foliage makes it impossible, a photograph taken from the site of the down platform at Cleghorn on 15 May with the 1142 Milngavie - Lanark train running over the A706 level crossing as it slows ready to turn off the WCML at Lanark Junction. The former station house stands on the left.

Caledonian Railway
John Furnevel 2008


Ravenstruther: End of the line. Looking east from the A70 towards the buffer stops at the end of the reversing siding at Ravenstruther in May 2008. Freightliner 66509 has recently arrived off the WCML with empties and the driver is awaiting clearance before reversing his train along the siding running across the centre of the photograph to reach the loading hopper.

Caledonian Railway
John Furnevel 2008


Carstairs: A Virgin Pendolino about to pass below a much photographed road bridge spanning the WCML. The 0830 London Euston - Glasgow Central glides through Carstairs station on the down fast line on 15 May 2008.

Caledonian Railway
John Furnevel 2008


Cleghorn: The 1150 Glasgow Central - London Euston Virgin Pendolino service at speed 15 May 2008. The train is about to pass the signal for Lanark Junction before running through the site of the former Cleghorn station.

Caledonian Railway
John Furnevel 2008


Waterside Level Crossing: A photograph taken at Waterside Level Crossing, Causewayhead, on the re-opening of the Stirling - Alloa - Kincardine line. Deltic 55022 Royal Scots Grey. [Ref query 23 March 2018]

Stirling and Dunfermline Railway
Hamish Baillie 2008


Fribourg: Although Fribourg station in on the SBB network, Bern S-Bahn services are operated by BLS. The empty stock for a Bern S-Bahn service on line S1 (Fribourg to Thun) arrives at Fribourg on 15 May.

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB)
Michael Gibb 2009


Stirling: Steam to the front (and a Deltic to the rear) as one of the SRPS specials put on to celebrate the opening of the line from Kincardine and Alloa pulls into Stirling on 15th May 2008 behind K4 61994 The Great Marquess .

Scottish Central Railway
David Spaven 2009


Polkemmet Junction: Progress at Bathgate viewed looking north towards the town from the Whitburn Road on 15 May 2010. See also earlier images [[23966]] and [[24515]].

Longridge to Bathgate (Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway)
James Young 2010


Blunsdon: RSS Tamper 73315 stands at Blunsdon on the Swindon & Cricklade Railway on 15 May 2010 having been brought in to fettle ballast on the Mouldon Hill extension.

Swindon and Cheltenham Extension Railway
Peter Todd 2010


Seafield Colliery: 170 393 passes the site of the junction for Seafield Colliery with a southbound service on 15 May 2010 see image [[29016]]

Edinburgh and Northern Railway
David Panton 2010


Boghead Junction: Ballasting underway between Bathgate and Armadale, 15 may 2010

Torbanehill and Bathgate Branch (Monkland Railways)
James Young 2010


Blunsdon: The tamper brought in to fettle the ballast on the southern Mouldon Hill Extension of the Swindon and Cricklade Railway, photographed at Blunsdon on 15 May 2010. After three passes, apparently the track can handle 70mph trains. We are now able to run over an extra 3/4 mile of new track.

Swindon and Cheltenham Extension Railway
Peter Todd 2010


Seafield Shunting Frame: Seafield pit, just to the south of Kirkcaldy, was planned in the late 1950s and it was said it would last for 150 years. Despite this 'kiss of death' in longevity terms it did, nonetheless, manage 23 years in full production, closing in 1988 and having its prominent towers blown up the following year. It had a seam reaching well out under the Firth of Forth, coincidentally towards Seafield in Edinburgh which is within sight. This is, as far as I can recall, where the signal box stood between the ECML (left) and access to the colliery. See image [[29023]]

Edinburgh and Northern Railway
David Panton 2010


Blunsdon: Barclay 0-6-0ST Swordfish (works no 2138 of 1942) photographed at Blunsdon on 15 May. Named after HMS Swordfish, the locomotive is not normally seen on a Saturday as the owners and restorers tend to keep it under wraps.

Swindon and Cheltenham Extension Railway
Peter Todd 2010


Wirksworth: Platform scene at Wirksworth, on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, on 15 May 2011.

Wirksworth Branch (Midland Railway)
Peter Todd 2011


Wirksworth: Scene at Wirksworth station on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway on 15 May 2011. Resident Barclay 0-4-0ST No 3 powers a shuttle service utilising a DMU coach.

Wirksworth Branch (Midland Railway)
Peter Todd 2011


Hest Bank: Colas Rail 56087 brings the Carlisle to Chirk log train through Hest Bank on 15 June 2013 in bright sunshine. Part of the closed Hest Bank level crossing box can just be seen left under the footbridge.

Lancaster and Carlisle Railway
John McIntyre 2013


Breich: 156495 heads west through Breich on 15 May with an Edinburgh - Glasgow Central via Shotts service.

Cleland and Midcalder Line (Caledonian Railway)
Bill Roberton 2013


Breich: 156445 heads east through Breich on 15 May bound for Edinburgh .

Cleland and Midcalder Line (Caledonian Railway)
Bill Roberton 2013


Hobart: Main railway station building in Hobart, closed in 1978 when all passenger services in Tasmania ceased. Platforms were behind, and the whole site has been redeveloped for the ABC Broadcasting Complex.

Tasmanian Railways
Colin Miller 2013


Hobart: The only railway remnants in Hobart are a container yard and a general yard. Here, a trio of locos delivered in 2012 (the first new to Tasrail since 1973) depart after shunting the container yard. There is a grandstand just off camera for viewing yacht racing, with grass terraces for spectators. The unfenced rail line runs right through these terraces!

Tasmanian Railways
Colin Miller 2013


Hobart: The solitary track from the north splits into three beside the Grandstand see image [[43328]] with the one on the left falling away to quayside level for the container depot. The two to the right curve round to a general goods yard. These would have led into the passenger station were it not for the facts that there is a new road across the trackbed and the ABC TV buildings complex obliterating the site.

Tasmanian Railways
Colin Miller 2013


Newcastleton: Part of the old station house at Newcastleton on 15 May 2014.

Border Union Railway (North British Railway)
Bruce McCartney 2014


Mount Florida: A northbound service calls at Mount Florida on 15 May 2014 on its way to Glasgow Central.

Cathcart District Railway
Veronica Clibbery 2014


Mount Florida: A southbound train, heading for Neilston, calls at Mount Florida on 15 May 2014, with the tenements of McLennan Street standing in the background.

Cathcart District Railway
Veronica Clibbery 2014


Inverkeithing East Junction: DRS 37419 passes Inverkeithing East Junction with an Inverness - Craigentinny test train on 15 May.

Aberdour Line (North British Railway)
Bill Roberton 2014


Glenfinnan Viaduct: K1 No. 62005 is pictured climbing the gradient up to Glenfinnan Viaduct with The Jacobite.

Mallaig Extension (West Highland Railway)
John Gray 2014


Bathgate [4th]: Back to nature. Scene at the former Bathgate single line terminus on 15 May 2015 see image [[20316]]. Opened in March 1986, the station closed in October 2010 on the opening of the current through station.

Edinburgh and Bathgate Railway
John Furnevel 2015


Forrestfield: After passing Forrestfield westbound on 15 May 2015 the 1048 Edinburgh Waverley - Helensburgh Central is about to skirt the south shore of Hillend Reservoir before making its next stop at Caldercruix.

New Monkland Line (Monkland Railways)
John Furnevel 2015


Bathgate: The 0938 Edinburgh - Milngavie arriving at Bathgate on 15 May 2015.

Edinburgh and Bathgate Railway
John Furnevel 2015


Larbert Viaduct: Shortly after leaving Larbert on 15 May 2015 the 1158 Dunblane - Edinburgh crosses the viaduct over the River Carron.

Scottish Central Railway
John Furnevel 2015


Larbert Viaduct: A ScotRail service from Edinburgh Waverley approaching the Larbert stop on 15 May 2015. The Dunblane bound train is about to cross Larbert Viaduct over the River Carron, less than half a mile from Larbert station.

Scottish Central Railway
John Furnevel 2015


Armadale: The 0957 Milngavie - Edinburgh eastbound through Armadale station on 15 May 2015. This train runs non-stop between Drumgelloch and Bathgate.

New Monkland Line (Monkland Railways)
John Furnevel 2015


Armadale Junction: After rounding the sweeping curve from Bathgate, an Edinburgh Waverley - Helenburgh Central train slows for the Armadale stop. View east on 15 May 2015, with the platforms of Armadale station just off picture to the right.

New Monkland Line (Monkland Railways)
John Furnevel 2015


Forrestfield: The 1048 Edinburgh Waverley - Helensburgh Central approaching Forrestfield, North Lanarkshire, on 15 May 2015.

New Monkland Line (Monkland Railways)
John Furnevel 2015


Bathgate: A fine morning at Bathgate on 15 May 2015, with the 0857 Milngavie - Edinburgh about to come to a halt at platform 1.

Edinburgh and Bathgate Railway
John Furnevel 2015


Bathgate LMD: The light maintenance and stabling bays forming part of the ScotRail facilities on the south side of Bathgate station, photographed on 15 May 2015. As you might expect mid-morning on a Friday the bays stand empty.

Edinburgh and Bathgate Railway
John Furnevel 2015


Bathgate Upper: An Edinburgh - Milngavie train seen shortly after leaving Bathgate station in May 2015. The train is on the long curve west towards Armadale skirting the boundary fence of Bathgate Golf Club. [Ref query 20 September 2018]

Edinburgh and Bathgate Railway
John Furnevel 2015


Armadale Junction: The 1023 Edinburgh - Helensburgh service approaching the Armadale stop on 15 May 2015. The town of Bathgate occupies most of the background.

New Monkland Line (Monkland Railways)
John Furnevel 2015


Newcraighall South Junction: A Borders line service bound for Tweedbank about to run through Newcraighall South Junction and onto the double track section on 15 May 2016. The 4-car DMU is on the Network Rail 2014 deviation which runs between Newcraighall and Kings Gate via Shawfair.

Millerhill Deviation (Network Rail)
John Furnevel 2016


Cheddleton: A new water tower under construction at Cheddleton on the North Staffordshire Railway, 15 May 2016.

North Staffordshire Railway
John Thorn 2016


Newcraighall South Junction: ScotRail 158710 leads the 4-car 0945 Tweedbank - Edinburgh Waverley on 15 May 2016. The train is passing the Biogen anaerobic digestion facility at Millerhill between the Shawfair and Newcraighall stops.

Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway
John Furnevel 2016


Stow: 60103 'Flying Scotsman' on its way to Tweedbank with the 'Cathedrals Express', passing Stow station on the Borders Line, on 15th May 2016.

Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
David Bosher 2016


Melrose: Surviving British Railways Scottish Region running-in board at the former Melrose station, on the as yet un-restored section of the former Waverley Route that was senselessly closed on 6th January 1969 despite widespread protests. Seen here slumbering quietly in the afternoon sunshine of Sunday, 15th May 2016.

Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
David Bosher 2016


Edinburgh Waverley: 47580 at rear of a 'Flying Scotsman' excursion, just arrived back at Edinburgh Waverley after a trip down the Borders Line to Tweedbank, on 15th May 2016.

Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
David Bosher 2016


Melrose: The one remaining platform at Melrose station on the Waverley Route, nonsensically closed on 6th January 1969, seen here looking south on 15th May 2016.

Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
David Bosher 2016


Borthwick Bank Signal Box: 60103 'Flying Scotsman' climbs Borthwick Bank with 'The Cathedrals Express' on the 15th of May 2016. A small group admire the locomotive from above to the right.

Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
Jeffray Wotherspoon 2016


Stow: 170393, with a Borders Line service from Tweedbank to Edinburgh Waverley, heading away from the camera, having just departed from the reopened Stow station, on 15th May 2016.

Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
David Bosher 2016


Stow: Stow station, closed with the entire Waverley Route in 1969, reopened for the Borders Line in 2015, seen here on Sunday, 15th May 2016. Sadly, the building has not been revived for railway use. Rebuilding of the line at this location involved the demolition of a virtually brand new house that had been built on the track bed.

Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
David Bosher 2016


Stow: Former station building at Stow, closed with the entire Waverley Route in January 1969, seen here on Sunday, 15th May 2016. The station reopened as part of the Borders Line, on 30 miles of the trackbed south from Edinburgh, in September 2015 but the building has not been revived for railway use.

Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
David Bosher 2016


Edinburgh Waverley: 158739, with 158713 at rear, at Edinburgh Waverley waiting to depart on 15th May 2016 with a service to Tweedbank over the new Borders Line that had opened eight months earlier.

North British Railway
David Bosher 2016


Tweedbank: A new generation of enthusiast enjoying the Flying Scotsman at Tweedbank.

Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
John Yellowlees 2016


Heriot: Flying Scotsman steaming sedately south between Heriot and Fountainhall on 15 May 2016.

Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
Mark Poustie 2016


Melrose: The sad remains of the once splendid Melrose station, closed with the entire Waverley Route from Carlisle to Edinburgh Waverley on 6th January 1969, to widespread local opposition and protests, seen here on 15th May 2016. A second platform once stood on the left but was demolished - it would be - to make way for the Melrose road bypass. Given that there is ample room to lay a single track at this remaining platform, I am at a loss to understand why the new Borders Line was not continued on to here, especially as Melrose is a delightful Borders town and, with its ruined Abbey, a tourist spot in its own right. Plus its just a short distance from Tweedbank too.

Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
David Bosher 2016


Manuel High Level: 60103 indulges in some complex shunting at Manuel to prepare for the Tweedbank and Fife excursions on 15 May. 47580 is in the background waiting to lead the train to Edinburgh. 47854 waits in the loop.

Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
Bill Roberton 2016


Manuel: 60103 propelling empty stock to Manuel on 15 May.

Slamannan and Borrowstounness Railway
Bill Roberton 2016


Linlithgow: 47580 'County of Essex' nears Linlithgow with the Bo'ness - Edinburgh empty stock with 60103 on the rear.

Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
Bill Roberton 2016


Borthwick Bank Signal Box: 60103 romping uphill between Borthwick Bank and Tynehead where the line skirts the top of Maggie Bowie’s Glen. The sun had just emerged from behind a cloud and the 10:45 from Tweedbank had only gone past about 30 seconds earlier, so it was a close run thing!

Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
Bill Jamieson 2016


Paterson's No 2 Siding: On departure from Galashiels, 47580 leads the train with Flying Scotsman on the rear.

Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
John Yellowlees 2016


Paterson's No 2 Siding: Flying Scotsman going backwards on the rear of the trains returning from Tweedbank.

Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
John Yellowlees 2016


Forth Bridge: The unmistakable silhouette of 60103 heading north over the Forth Bridge on 15 May.

Forth Bridge Railway
Bill Roberton 2016


Newcraighall South Junction: A 4-car 158 set, seen shortly after restarting from Newcraighall station with a train for Tweedbank on 15 May 2016. The train is emerging from below Whitehill Road bridge and approaching the start of the double track section at Newcraighall South Junction. The road entrance gates at the north end of Millerhill Yard are visible top right.

Millerhill Deviation (Network Rail)
John Furnevel 2016


Paddington: Class 166 DMU's approaching Paddington with the lead set in the new GWR colours.

Great Western Railway
Alastair McLellan 2016


Stow: Station Road at Stow on 15th May 2016. Anyone walking along here between January 1969 and September 2015, hoping to catch a train to Edinburgh or Carlisle (or maybe even Riccarton Junction), would have been confronted by a disused derelict station following the closure of the Waverley Route. Fortunately, this mistake was partially rectified when the first 30 miles south from Edinburgh to the new station at Tweedbank were reopened in 2015. Having brought trains back to Stow, and the important Borders town of Galashiels, the campaign to extend all the way back to Carlisle continues and bring trains back to Melrose and Hawick.

Borders Railway (Network Rail)
David Bosher 2016


Paddington: An HST set in the new GWR colours waiting to depart with the 1237 to Swansea.

Great Western Railway
Alastair McLellan 2016


Stow: The 'Flying Scotsman' hauling an excursion to Tweedbank on the new Borders Railway, passing the reopened station at Stow, on a bright and sunny 15th May 2016.

Borders Railway (Network Rail)
David Bosher 2016


Bristol Parkway: A grab shot passing the new facilities at Bristol Parkway.

South Wales and Bristol Direct Railway (Great Western Railway)
Alastair McLellan 2016


Aylesbury: Chiltern Railways green class 121 railcar 121 034 or DX2011B, prepares to operate an additional service at 1639 hrs from Aylesbury to Princes Risborough on Monday 15th May 2017 in the final week of operation of these units. It will follow the train in front which is the 1629 Aylesbury to Marylebone via High Wycombe. Chiltern Railways Retirement of Class 121 Bubble Car

Wycombe Railway
Douglas Blades 2017


Leith Tram Depot: I wonder how many times I have walked past this bit of old tram rail on Leith Walk without noticing it? Leith Tram depot building near the foot of the Walk is soon to find a use as a community hub, whatever that is. This was the depot of Leith Tramways and is not to be confused with the Edinburgh Corporation depot at Shrubhill, further up Leith Walk. Sorry about the fag ends but I didn't have a sweeping brush on me.

Leith Tramways
David Panton 2017


Aylesbury: The start of the final week of Chiltern Railways Bubble Car operation shows both units, the last 1st generation DMUs in main line service, parked up at Aylesbury earlier on the Monday afternoon (150517). One will later operate the peak evening services between here and Princes Risborough.

Wycombe Railway
Douglas Blades 2017


Plates, signs, notices etc: A new street name in Leith; Quintinshill Place. A reference to the Territorial soldiers who were raised locally for the 1/7th (Leith) Battalion, the Royal Scots and who were injured and died in the crash at Quintinshill in 1915. The troops had been heading for Gallipoli.

Plates, signs, notices etc
John Yellowlees 2018


Bishophouse Junction: GBRf 66738 Huddersfield Town runs south on the ECML towards Raskelf Bridge on a Tyne Coal Terminal to Drax Power Station working on 15 May 2018. It is passing the former Bishophouse Junction to the right, that connected onto the Raskelf Curve running from SunBeck Junction on the Malton & Pickering line.

Great North of England Railway
David Pesterfield 2018


Powderhall Loop: The disused line heading east from Powderhall.

Easter Road Deviation (North British Railway)
John Yellowlees 2018


Kirkham and Wesham: The first Pendolino (and possibly the first of any type of electric traction) to reach Blackpool under its own power is seen on the return test run back to Preston at half past midnight on 15 May 2018. A second return trip was made later in the night. Hopefully all was well and electric services are now clear to commence operating from next Monday.

Preston and Wyre Railway, Dock and Harbour
John McIntyre 2018


Carnoustie: A Glasgow to Aberdeen HST passes Carnoustie on 15 May 2019. The level-crossing barriers were recently replaced, but the renewal of signalling promised for the same time doesn't seem to have happened - unless it has been very subtle.

Dundee and Arbroath Railway
David Panton 2019


Barry Links: An Arbroath to Edinburgh service hurries through Barry Links on 15 May 2019. Note the recently installed information screens; the service here was about to double (to two a day each way) so perhaps that justifies the expense. The road signs all refer to this as just Barry Station, but I suppose the risk of confusing it with the real Barry station in South Wales is not great.

Dundee and Arbroath Railway
David Panton 2019


Galashiels: The Borders Explorer ticket allows customers to travel to the beautiful and historic borders towns and villages from Edinburgh by train or bus on one ticket. The all-in-one ticket includes ScotRail travel to / from Edinburgh Waverley and any Borders Bus from Galashiels Transport Interchange to towns and villages throughout the region, including, Hawick, Jedburgh, Peebles, Kelso and Coldstream. Customers can only leave or board the train at either Galashiels or Tweedbank to board the connecting Borders Bus service.

Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
John Yellowlees 2019


Corrour Summit: 73971 begins the descent from Corrour Summit, towards Loch Treig, with the Caledonian Sleeper for Fort William on 15th May 2019.

West Highland Railway
John Gray 2019


Inverness: HST + 4 at Inverness on 15th May 2019. Only the front loco was in the new Inter7City livery. The rest were in de-logoed First Great Western.

Inverness and Nairn Railway
Crinan Dunbar 2019


Corrour Summit: B1 No. 61306 'Mayflower' and 37685 'Loch Arkaig' top and tail the southbound Steam Dreams - Highlands and Islands Explorer over the Alt Luib Ruairidh on the climb to Corrour. 15th May 2019.

West Highland Railway
John Gray 2019


Craigendoran Junction: On the first leg of Day 7 of the Highlands and Islands Railtour from Fort William to Penrith 61306 Mayflower draws its train into the West Highland Loop at Craigendoran Junction. The train was top and tailed by the B1 and 37669 with the latter providing most of the power when the train was observed passing Ardmore Crossing around 40 minutes later.

West Highland Railway
Malcolm Chattwood 2019


Corrour: The most remote and highest station on the UK rail network is Corrour, seen here on 15th May 2019. In the picture is the station, the Station House Restaurant, Loch Coir' a' Bhric Beag and Loch Ossian.

West Highland Railway
John Gray 2019


Corrour Summit: B1 No. 61306 'Mayflower' and 37685 'Loch Arkaig' top and tail the southbound 'Steam Dreams - Highlands and Islands Explorer', nearing Corrour Summit. Corrour Station is in the distance. 15th May 2019.

West Highland Railway
John Gray 2019


Golf Street: 'I'm not stopping'. Just as well really as the train is three times longer than the platform. An LNER service for Aberdeen passes Golf Street on 15 May 2019. Note the newly-installed information screens to cope with the doubling of services - to two a day - from 20 May. The white LED is almost disturbing when you are so used to amber. Balmossie and Barry Links are similarly equipped

Dundee and Arbroath Railway
David Panton 2019


Balshaw Lane Junction: DC Rail Freight Class 56s numbers 56103 and 56091 head north at Balshaw Lane Jct while working from Boston to Carlisle (6Z57) with empty stone bogie wagons, late in the evening of 15 May 2019.

North Union Railway
John McIntyre 2019


Dundee: A Glasgow to Aberdeen HST approaches Dundee on 15 May 2019. The odd coach out is still in the (very) dark green of GWR.

Tay Bridge and Associated Lines (North British Railway)
David Panton 2019


Dundee: The latest wheeze to clutter up information screens is to tell you where your train currently is. As you are told when it is expected I can't see how knowing where it is now adds anything, especially if you don't know how far away Carnoustie (in this case) is. Anway, 'a' LNER service? An mistake, surely. 15th May 2019

Tay Bridge and Associated Lines (North British Railway)
David Panton 2019


Corrour Summit: The last day of the Steam Dreams railtour. B1 No.61306 Mayflower and 37685 Loch Arkaig, climb the long gradient up to Corrour, with the southbound Steam Dreams - Highlands and Islands Explorer.

West Highland Railway
John Gray 2019


Barry Links: A Glasgow to Aberdeen service passes over the level crossing and through Barry Links at speed on 15 May 2019. It temporarily drowns out the sound of gunfire from the nearby MOD range which seems to be pretty constant. It is true that real gunfire doesn't sound real.

Dundee and Arbroath Railway
David Panton 2019


Carnoustie: The 'See it, say it, sorted' set makes its first stop with an Arbroath to Edinburgh service on 15 May 2019. Note the semaphore peeking above it; we were led to believe this would have gone by now. In December 2018 Carnoustie lost its daytime express services to new hourly stopping trains, but it is probably a price worth paying. I'm bound to have just annoyed somebody

Dundee and Arbroath Railway
David Panton 2019


Uffington: GWR 800-004 westbound, with a Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads, passing Uffington on 15th May 2020.

Great Western Railway
Peter Todd 2020


Granton: Going by its orientation this fragment seems to have been part of the meandering connection between Pilton Junction West and Granton Harbour. This area was once quite industrial and threaded with railway tracks a few short sections of which survive in the tarmac. Photographed incidental to my daily exercise permitted under emergency coronavirus legislation.

Granton Shore Branch (North British Railway)
David Panton 2020


Uffington: Having missed the previous day's Freightliners, I went back to Uffington for a second try on 15th May 2020. One eastbound did turn up, with 66568 running from Wentloog to Felixstowe (reporting number 4690ZZ), but the one scheduled from Ely did not.

Great Western Railway
Peter Todd 2020


City Thameslink: 700141 with Thameslink train to Horsham at City Thameslink, looking back north, on 15th May 2021. This station is built in the Snow Hill tunnel that closed to passengers in 1916 and to freight in 1971. It lay disused until 1988 when the tracks were relaid and it reopened for Thameslink services, introducing for the first time through Bedford to Brighton trains. Thameslink services from the ECML began in 2018. At first, trains ran through from Farringdon to Blackfriars but in 1990 this new station, at first called St. Paul's Thameslink, was built in the tunnel. It is more or less on the site of the old Holborn Viaduct Low Level station (known as Snow Hill until 1912) that closed in 1916. Back in 1969 I secured a seat on a London railtour that traversed the tunnel two years before it was abandoned.

Metropolitan Extensions: Herne Hill to the Metropolitan Railway (London, Chatham and Dover Railway)
David Bosher 2021


Walworth Road: The site of Walworth Road, just south of Elephant & Castle, seen from a Thameslink service to Sutton, on 15th May 2021. This station opened as Camberwell Gate on 1st May 1863 and was renamed in 1865. It was closed as a WWI economy on 3rd April 1916, intended to be only temporary, but it never reopened after 1918.

Metropolitan Extensions: Herne Hill to the Metropolitan Railway (London, Chatham and Dover Railway)
David Bosher 2021


Slateford: Anyone who hangs around stations with no train to catch needs to have a look at themselves. I however was lucky with a 'fast train approaching' warning as I passed through Slateford station on 15 May 2021. This TPE service was for Manchester Airport, which I only know because it says so on the front. So there.

Caledonian Railway
David Panton 2021


Moorside: A platform scene at Moorside, looking back towards the street level ticket office, in May 2021. This was damaged in a malicious fire in 2020 and the station is now unstaffed. A plywood panelled corridor has been created through from the street to the stairs. In this view towards Manchester the single line bridge for the up track can be seen. The bridge to the right used to span three tracks until 1968 and is much wider.

Windsor Bridge to Hindley Line (Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway)
Mark Bartlett 2021


Red Rock: When a railway runs from Boars Head Junction to Red Rock and White Bear you would be forgiven for thinking it was in North America rather than Lancashire. This is Red Rock station, closed in 1949, and the trackbed can be walked from here to White Bear in Adlington. Photographs from operational days show the station building here was very similar to that at White Bear [[76459]]) but at Red Rock it has been greatly extended as part of a home and is seen here in May 2021. A car park in the Red Rock goods yard assists visiting the old line, which once formed a direct route from Wigan to Blackburn.

Lancashire Union Railway
Mark Bartlett 2021


Harringay: 387102 still has three miles to go to Kings Cross as it speeds past Harringay on the ECML in north London, on 15th May 2021.

London to Peterborough (Great Northern Railway)
David Bosher 2021


Castle Douglas: Two railway buildings still stand at the site of Castle Douglas station in 2021. One is the stone built goods shed, in use as a hardware store (see image [[34786]]), the other is this heavily disguised British Railways standard prefabricated concrete Provender Shed in use as a fast food establishment. These buildings were once common in goods yards around the country. To see what they look like in their normal guise see photos of Newpark, [[57747]], Masham [[47340]] and Sedbergh [[49371]].

Portpatrick Railway
Douglas Blades 2021


Harringay: Is this the world's longest-serving temporary ticket office? It was put up at Harringay after the original and grander Victorian entrance, dating from 1885, was destroyed by fire in the 1960s. Never intended to be permanent, it is still theoretically in use more than fifty years later, but usually closed and passengers use their Oyster cards on the machines instead. This station is now what could be termed an unstaffed halt, seen on 15th May 2021.

London to Peterborough (Great Northern Railway)
David Bosher 2021


Camberwell: The remains of Camberwell station, seen from a Thameslink service to Sutton, on 15th May 2021. This was opened by the LC&DR in 1862, but passenger numbers fell when new electric trams started to serve this south London neighbourhood in the early 20th Century. WWI hastened its demise and it closed on 3rd April 1916 but, somewhat surprisingly, stayed open for goods traffic until 18th April 1964. In 1935, as part of the LPTB's 'New Works' programme, an extension of the Bakerloo Line from Elephant & Castle was mooted with a proposed terminus under Camberwell Green but after 1945 this was not proceeded with. Camberwell is one of the busiest suburbs in London without a station even though trains speed through its midst with passengers unable to board or alight from them and instead are entirely dependant on buses. The recent proposed extension of the Bakerloo Line to Lewisham (delayed due to covid) opted to go via Old Kent Road leaving Camberwell still in limbo although in July 2020 a new Thameslink station here was shortlisted for reopening as part of a third round of a New Stations Fund. We wait with bated breath.

Metropolitan Extensions: Herne Hill to the Metropolitan Railway (London, Chatham and Dover Railway)
David Bosher 2021


Shoreditch High Street: View from a TfL bus on route 43 of the London Overground bridge across Shoreditch High Street on 15th May 2021. This bridge is on the link line that was built to connect the partially reopened NLR Broad Street branch with the former LUL East London Line and was rolled into position in 2008 in readiness to allow trains to run between north and south London and opened in April 2010. The new Shoreditch High Street station is to the right of the bridge. I was fortunate to travel on the first ever train between Dalston Junction and New Cross on the first day, my first ride along a section of the old Broad Street viaduct since it closed in 1986.

East London Railway to North London Railway link (East London Line)
David Bosher 2021


Finsbury Park: 700141, with a Thameslink service to Horsham, arriving at Finsbury Park on 15th May 2021. This service began in 2018 with the belated opening of the Canal Tunnels linking the ECML to the MML north of Kings Cross. Its a pity that Finsbury Park is the only suburban station on the ECML that Thameslink services through the Canal Tunnels stop at. One would have thought some of the other more important stations on the ECML, e.g. Potters Bar and Welwyn Garden City, would have warranted a Thameslink service to ease congestion caused by changing at Finsbury Park. There is no Thameslink service round the Hertford North Loop neither.

London to Peterborough (Great Northern Railway)
David Bosher 2021


Broad Street: North side abutment of former bridge over Great Eastern Street at Shoreditch, part of the North London Railway Broad Street branch, opened in 1865 and closed in 1986, seen from a TfL bus on route 43 from London Bridge to Friern Barnet on 15th May 2021. Just north of here, most of the old Broad Street viaduct was reopened in April 2010 for London Overground with the new link from the East London Line and new stations at Shoreditch High Street, Hoxton, Haggerston and a reopened Dalston Junction. If I had £1 for every time I travelled over this bridge into Broad Street (sadly now demolished) as a boy, I could have retired quite comfortably by the time I was 30.

North London Railway
David Bosher 2021


Edinburgh Waverley: While at Waverley carrying out a secret mission for Ewan Crawford (whoops) I thought I may as well photograph a train, so here is a service for Glasgow Central via Carstairs pulling out of Platform 8. I must say that pigeon was acting rather furtively too.

North British Railway
David Panton 2021


Hoghton: 60103 'Flying Scotsman' approaching Hoghton on 15 May 2021 whilst out on the Carnforth-Hellifield-Blackburn test circuit. It had been thought that this was to have been a loaded test run before a possible outing next week, however it was only a support coach that joined the loco on its leg stretch around Lancashire and North Yorkshire.

Blackburn and Preston Railway
John McIntyre 2021


Edinburgh General: This is the story of a remarkable survivor. The building in Edinburgh shown here - three windows wide and of dark coloured stone material - is located on the north east corner of the junction of Market Street and Waverley Bridge. Today it is a ticket office for sightseeing buses. The building was not here originally. It was the southern wing of the 1846 booking office, located by Waverley Bridge, of Edinburgh General station (also known as North Bridge and now Edinburgh Waverley). In 1873 the masonry Waverley Bridge was replaced by one built in metal and the cab rank, portico and centre section of the booking office, which had been located on a bridge over the through lines, were demolished. But the north and south wings survived as they did not stand on the bridge. In the 1877 the southern wing was removed during station remodelling and the replacement of the trainshed. However, it was rebuilt under the instructions of Robert Morham (the City Architect of Edinburgh) at this present location. It was reduced slightly in size and turned through 90 degrees. The northern elevation shows the window design of the booking office in the original form. And what of the northern wing? In the 1890s reconstruction the northern wing - the last remaining part of the booking office still on site - was demolished as contemporary photographs show. The building on the bridge today is a parcel office erected during the 1890s station reconstruction. It may incorporate some stone from the booking office but is of a different design (see image [[6394]]). The former south wing has had additional facades added on its south and west elevations but the north side, in the photograph, is unaltered. The suburban platform is off to the left and the photograph is taken from Waverley Bridge.

North British Railway
Ewan Crawford Collection 2021


Red Rock: A short distance to the north east of the old Red Rock station the trackbed path passes under this superb aqueduct, carrying the Leeds Liverpool Canal over the old railway. A steep path connects to the tow path allowing circular walks. This view looks towards White Bear and Chorley on 15th May 2021.

Lancashire Union Railway
Mark Bartlett 2021


Red Rock: Although this is a May 2021 view southwards along the Leeds Liverpool Canal, it is actually of the bridge that was constructed to allow the Lancashire Union Railway to pass underneath near Red Rock on the Boars Head to White Bear section of line. The very oblique angle of the railway means that the northerly parapet by the towpath is almost level with the southerly parapet on the opposite side.

Lancashire Union Railway
Mark Bartlett 2021


Angel: Original 1901 entrance to Angel station, Northern Line, seen from a TfL bus on route 43 (London Bridge to Friern Barnet) on 15th May 2021. The entire station was rebuilt in 1992 which saw the closure of this entrance on City Road and a more spacious replacement opened round the corner on Islington High Street. The lifts were replaced by escalators and Angel now has the longest escalator on the Underground; previously this was at Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly Lines). Angel's narrow island platform was replaced at the same time but examples of this type of platform in a single tunnel can still be seen at Clapham North and Clapham Common, also on the Northern Line - in SOUTH London!

City and South London Railway
David Bosher 2021


Moorside: 158753 passes through Moorside (formerly Moorside and Wardley) on a Wigan Wallgate to Leeds service on 15th May 2021. The old fast lines, removed in 1968, ran to the left of the surviving tracks in the area now occupied by trees. Several stations on the Atherton line retain their L&YR platform canopies [[21413]] but Moorside is not one of them.

Windsor Bridge to Hindley Line (Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway)
Mark Bartlett 2021


Rossie Viaduct: 1T14. The 09:44 Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street crossing the Rossie viaduct as it leaves Montrose on 15th May 2021.

North British, Arbroath and Montrose Railway
Duncan Ross 2021


Lathalmond Railway Museum: Looking from the Lathalmond passenger platform to the engine shed on 15 May 2022. Outside is Hunslet 0-4-0 D2650/MOD 250 alongside a banana van under restoration.

West of Fife Mineral Railway
Bill Roberton 2022


Lathalmond Railway Museum: Hunslet MOD 251 (formerly at Rosyth Dockyard) works the brake van shuttle at Lathalmond on 15 May 2022. In the background is NCB No.17 (Andrew Barclay 2296 of 1950) the last steam locomotive to work in the Scottish coalfields.

West of Fife Mineral Railway
Bill Roberton 2022


Events


Events from the chronology which occured on this day. This generally lists events before 1995, the creation of the website.

YearCompaniesDescription
1837Lancaster and Preston Junction RailwayIncorporated.
1848Dundee and Arbroath RailwayBroughty Ferry to Broughty Pier opened. Broughty Pier station opened.
1852Leeds and Thirsk RailwayNorthallerton to Stockton section opened.
1856Ayr and Dalmellington RailwayOpened for goods.
1856Forth and Clyde Junction RailwayOpened throughout for goods and minerals.
1865Greenock and Wemyss Bay RailwayLine opened from Port Glasgow through southern Greenock to Wemyss Bay. Stations at Upper Greenock, Ravenscraig, Inverkip and Wemyss Bay.
1867Cleland to Morningside Line (Caledonian Railway)Line opened to passengers (Newarthill and Morningside Branch). New stations at 1st_>Cleland 1st , Newmains and a new CR_>Morningside CR .
1882Glasgow, Dumbarton and Helensburgh RailwayCraigendoran Pier and station opened. There was a double track station on the Helensburgh line, and a long curved single platform which ran onto the pier. PS Gareloch transferred to the new pier. PS Sheila bought.
1902Dundee Corporation TramwaysElectric trams introduced via Moncur Crescent to Tram_>Fairmuir Tram .
1919Scottish Central RailwayCaledonian Railway agrees to sell water supply to the Bridge of Allan council.
1922Caledonian and Dumbartonshire Junction Railway Dumbarton and Balloch Joint Railway (Caledonian Railway, Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway and North British Railway Joint)Lifting of toll for North British Railway between Dalreoch Junction and Dumbarton East Junction.
1931Monifeith tramway closed.
1958Strathendrick and Aberfoyle Railway Forth and Clyde Junction Railway Blane Valley Railway Campsie Branch (Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway)Stevenson Locomotive Society Railtour travels from Glasgow to Aberfoyle. (Also visiting Kilsyth (Old)).
1978East Coast Main LineInterCity HST 125s start running on line between London Kings Cross and Edinburgh Waverley.
1989New Monkland Line (Monkland Railways)Airdrie service extended east to new 1st_>Drumgelloch 1st terminus (line beyond to Moffat Mills Junction lifted).
1989Garnkirk and Glasgow RailwayStepps station opened. Served by the Springburn to Cumbernauld services, and Greenfaulds opened on the same day.
1989Caledonian RailwayGreenfaulds station opened. Served by the Springburn to Cumbernauld services, and Stepps opened on the same day.
1997Kincardine Line (North British Railway)Coal loading at Kincardine Power Station^s yard for Longannet Power Station begins. Coal was brought in by road to Kincardine.

News


These are old news items which which occured on this day. This generally lists events after 1995, the creation of the website.

YearCompaniesDescription
2000Howwood sod-cuttingHowwood Station sod-cutting ceremony.
2004Tunnel workers treated for fumes [BBC News]Fire teams say 17 Channel Tunnel Rail Link workers have been treated after inhaling fumes.
2006Youth badly burned by rail cable [BBC News]A 14-year-old boy is suffering from extensive burns after he touched an overhead railway cable.
2006First ScotRail speeds ahead of targets [Scotsman]TRAINS on the Edinburgh to Glasgow express route have recorded their best punctuality and reliability figures in more than three years.
2007Airdrie-Bathgate Railway and Linked Improvements Act 2007 [Off of Pub Serv Info]2007 asp 19, Airdrie-Bathgate Railway and Linked Improvements Act 2007
20076,000 commuters held up by ^late^ rail work [Scotsman]SOME 6,000 passengers were forced to switch from trains to buses yesterday after engineering work on a key section of railway line in the Central Belt overran by more than seven hours.
2007All change for train [Scotsman]A COMMUTER train service in East Lothian has been re-timed. The early-morning Virgin Trains service from Dunbar to Edinburgh will now leave at 6.40am instead of 6.29am.
2007Rail bridge to close for a week [BBC News]Commuters are warned about summer travel disruption during work on the Forth Rail Bridge.
2008Train line reopens after 40 years [BBC News Article]Direct rail services between Stirling, Alloa are set to recommence after a break of 40 years.
2008ScotRail gives First platform for success [Evening News]FIRSTGROUP, the owner of First Scotrail, has recorded record results across all of its divisions as it hailed a year of "significant achievement".
2009Consultation on electrification strategy urged [Network Rail Article]A formal consultation looking into expanding the electrified network was launched today as Network Rail, on behalf of the rail industry, published a proposed strategy on electrification
2009Glasgow Siemens train depot work starts [Transport Briefing]Work to expand a train depot to house Scotland^s new Siemens fleet got underway this week
2009Man shot in rail station incident [BBC News Article]A man has been shot and injured in an incident involving police at Carfin railway station in North Lanarkshire.
2010Northern franchise extended by 2 years [The Journal] TRAVELLERS will be using Northern Rail’s trains in the region for an extra two years after the Government extended the operator’s contract. [From Mark Bartlett]
2010Changes to ScotRail station branding [First ScotRail]Stations in the new ScotRail brand will receive the Gaelic name where one exists. The first two stations to receive this treatment are Carntyne and Shettleston.
2011Rail company^s £26,000 boost for conservation projects [The Star]RAIL firm First TransPennine Express is offering £26,000 in grants to tree and woodland conservation projects
2012House^s unique viewing platform is a restored railway carriage for bedroom [This is Cornwall]A bungalow in the Cornish countryside has been revealed as one of Britain^s most unusual homes because it has its very own railway carriage – inside. The unique property in Ashton, near Helston, is a fully functioning home, but bizarrely has the restored 130-year-old Great Western Railway carriage within.
2013Cairngorm funicular railway walks plan talks [Scotsman]HIGHLAND councillors are considering proposals to allow guided treks between the Cairngorm funicular railway’s top station and the Cairn Gorm plateau to remain permanently.
2014Locomotive collision at Great Central [Loughborough Echo]THE moment a locomotive collided with the back of the Royal Mail carriage at Great Central Railway in Loughborough has been described as sounding “like a bomb going off”. Sidney James, of Whitehouse Avenue, took a picture after hearing an “explosion” at the back of his house at 12.30pm on May 12.
2015Rail workers to strike on bank holiday Monday [BBC News]Network Rail workers are to stage a 24-hour strike from 5pm on bank holiday Monday in a row over pay. The UK-wide action will see signallers, maintenance staff and station workers, walk out from 25 May on the busy holiday weekend. It follows a decisive vote for action from RMT union members and will be the first UK-wide rail strike in 20 years. Network Rail have previously said they would do anything possible to keep services going if strikes go ahead.
2017Southern and RMT return to negotiating table [RTM]Talks between Southern and RMT are set to resume today in the latest attempt to resolve the bitter and long-lasting dispute between the operator and the union, which has already resulted in 31 days worth of strikes. Both parties met in April but, after talks broke down, the RMT confirmed that it would walk out once again on 8 April. The unions leader, Mick Cash, reiterated that he was still available for meaningful talks, but none in the last 12 months have been capable of putting an end to the row. Passenger group Brighton Line Commuters told the BBC that it welcomed todays fresh talks, but was sceptical that anything would come of it and argued the dispute should have been sorted out many months ago. Shelley Atlas, who runs the group, said people have got used to the situation by now, with many making alternative arrangements to get to and from work especially since several people reportedly lost their jobs due to repeated industrial action. Overall, almost 60,000 Southern services were cancelled last year, averaging 161 trains per day across the network. [From Richard Buckby]
2018Council office clear-out turns up railway memorabilia [BBC News]A clear-out of council offices in the Highlands has uncovered sought-after items of railway memorabilia. Highland Council staff are moving from Lochaber House in Fort William to new offices at the Charles Kennedy Building, a former secondary school. Furniture and other items not needed for the new offices are to be auctioned off on 26 May.
2018Interiors of new Sleeper coaches begin to take shape [RAIL]Interior of Caledonian Sleeper seating car revealed as testing of new Mk 5s continues
2018Plans submitted for Stirling station footbridge works [Network Rail]Network Rail has submitted a planning application for creating step-free access between platforms six and nine at Stirling station.
2019Borders Railway not an easy target for cancellations, rail boss assures [Scotsman]The Borders is no worse off than other regions when it comes to train cancellations, ScotRail bosses insist.
2019Network Rail announces £800m rail haulage and seasonal services contracts [Network Rail]Rail haulage and seasonal service contracts worth a total value of £800m Awarded to Freightliner, GB Railfreight, Direct Rail Services, DB Cargo UK, Colas Rail UK and Balfour Beatty as detailed [in article.]
2019Scottish Government pressed on delays to new Calmac ferries [The Herald]Michael Matheson was pressed on the delays to the new CalMac vessels when he appeared before Holyroods Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee.
2020Billions to be invested in roads and railways during coronavirus lockdown [Strathspey and Badenoch Herald]Transport minister Grant Shapps has said £2 billion is to be invested in transport infrastructure.
2020Dawlish sea wall contributes £3 million to South Devon economy [Rail Engineer]Work to rebuild and improve the sea wall at Dawlish has resulted in £3 million being spent locally in south Devon between June 2019 and May 2020 by Network Rail and its contractors. By the time the first section of the new sea wall is completed in summer this year Network Rail and main contractor.
2020Dundee railway station shines blue in solidarity with front line workers [Evening Telegraph]Dundee railway station shone blue last night to show solidarity with key workers and front line NHS staff all across the country.
2020Only 30% of Scots happy to use buses and trains again [Scotsman]Scots are becoming more nervous about using public transport but remain happier about it than the rest of Britain.
2020Proposals for car park near Aberdeen train station rejected [Evening Express]Plans to turn a vacant patch of land next to Dyce Railway Station into a new car park have been rejected by council bosses.
2020Scottish rail passengers may be prevented from boarding intercity trains without reservation [Scotsman]Rail passengers are being warned they may be prevented from boarding intercity trains without a reservation as part of social distancing measures.
2020East Coast rail passengers must make reservations [BBC News]Rail operators ramp up social distancing measures with move to pre-booked tickets and face masks.